The Knowledge of London, explained
Seven guides for anyone thinking about the Knowledge, or already on it. Every fact comes from TfL's own documents, which we link to.
How to become a London taxi driver
Who can apply, how to apply to TfL, what the Knowledge asks of you and what happens after you pass, from the first form to the green badge.
Read the guide
The stages of the Knowledge
The self-assessment, the written exam, the appearances at Stages 3 to 5, the final Stage 6 exam and the licence: what each one asks, how it is passed and how long you have.
Read the guide
Knowledge appearances, and how they are marked
What happens at a Knowledge appearance, how each run is marked, what an A, B, C and D are worth, how many points move you up a stage, and what four Ds mean.
Read the guide
Green badge or yellow badge?
The difference between an All London (green badge) and a Suburban (yellow badge) taxi licence, the nine suburban sectors, how the Suburban Knowledge differs and how to move up later.
Read the guide
How long the Knowledge takes, and what it costs
TfL's own figures for how long candidates take to qualify, the time limit on each stage, and every TfL fee, about £1,190 in all, plus the costs TfL does not list.
Read the guide
Choosing a Knowledge school
What a Knowledge school gives you, what to ask before you join one, and how free, paid, online and in-person schools differ. TfL does not regulate them.
Read the guide
The Knowledge, word by word
Runs, points, appearances, call-overs, dumbbells, 56s, green and yellow badges: the words used on the Knowledge, explained in plain English.
Read the guide
Learn the Knowledge with TheLTK
Every run and point, a plan for each day, and your calls checked turn by turn.